Ben Ehrets

Marc King Ben Ehrets—sorry, there’s no particular story to explain his nickname—grew up in Allentown, PA, an only child with many good neighborhood friends with whom he is still close. It was the rule of his parents that he be a regular church attender; with a Roman Catholic dad and Lutheran mom, he attended both Saturday evening—the “radical” Guitar Mass—and also Sunday morning services. Music played a big part in his younger years. Ben began violin lessons in second grade, played French horn in high school, and sang in church and school choirs. He was confirmed in the RC Church at age seven and went through Lutheran Confirmation in the ninth grade. But it was in tenth grade that his faith life took on a deeper meaning, and he began attending another Lutheran church where he felt welcomed and where he became active in the youth group.

As a senior in high school, it was Ben’s intention to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis, but a game of dodge ball and subsequent detached retina cost him his appointment. Still aiming toward a military career, he was sent to Fort Knox, KY, for Basic Training where he heard God’s call on the rifle range and began considering a life in parish ministry. After attending Muhlenberg College with a B.S. in Sociology, Ben moved on to ELCA Gettysburg Seminary. During his last year—and her first—Ben met Sara from Green Bay, WI. (The Lord does work in wondrous ways!) After marriage, Sara and Ben held separate pastoral positions in the Jim Thorpe, PA, area. Their son was born during this time.

While Ben sorely misses his family and friends in Pennsylvania, he is very pleased with Wisconsin and the many good things that FPC offers—strong church leaders, a staff “dream team," and members with a strong commitment to service and mission, even during challenging times. Ben says his ministry is guided by the words of John 15:10-11: If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full(NKJV).

Ben enjoys having time to be with his son, loves movies, and has a black belt in karate.